Stick and Leaf Patterns
What you need
- a few short sticks
- a handful of dry leaves
- a flat surface outside, like a path or patio
How to do it
- Gather sticks and leaves together outside, or on a walk to the park.
- Lay out a short pattern on the path: stick, leaf, stick, leaf.
- Ask them what comes next, and let them carry it on as far as they like.
- Make a new pattern with a mistake in it and see if they can find it and put it right.
Why it matters
A pattern is a little rule they can see and carry on, made from things they picked up themselves.
What they're learning
- Seeing a pattern
- Working out what repeats and what should come next.
- Fixing a mistake
- Finding the piece that breaks the pattern and putting it right.
- Careful placing
- Laying each stick and leaf down just where it belongs.
What to look for
Notice them saying the pattern out loud as they lay it: "stick, leaf, stick, leaf".
A tip
Pick sticks shorter than your hand so they are easy to lay in a line, and leave any wet or muddy ones behind.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: build the pattern together, taking turns to add the next piece
Harder: try a longer pattern, like stick, stick, leaf, or add a pine cone as a third thing
